The department participates actively in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program which provides opportunities for interdisciplinary research with other life science departments.

The department offers a multidisciplinary non-thesis program leading to the degree of Master of Science, Field Naturalist Option. Enrollment is limited to a small number of mature, highly talented individuals who have demonstrated sustained interest in field aspects of the natural sciences. The program is designed to provide students with: (1) a solid grounding in field-related sciences; (2) the ability to integrate scientific disciplines into a coherent whole at the landscape level; (3) the ability to evaluate sites from a number of perspectives and/or criteria; (4) the ability to translate scientific insights into ecologically sound decisions; and (5) the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.

General Requirements

Specific Requirements

Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

The equivalent of a UVM major or minor in a natural or physical science. Satisfactory scores on the Verbal and Math sections of the Graduate Record Examination.

Requirement for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Completion of one academic year in graduate study at the University of Vermont.

Minimum Degree Requirements

A total of seventy-five credits of course work and dissertation research. A minimum of thirty credits of course work should be in botany, other natural sciences and supporting fields, and at least twenty credits should be in dissertation research. In addition, each candidate must participate in six semester hours of supervised teaching.